NSW rail workers have agreed to a government deal on pay and conditions. 

After over a year of industrial action that brought major disruption to the train network, over 93 per cent of more than 10,000 rail employees cast a “yes” vote for a two-year deal.

The deal includes a pay rise of 2.53 per cent in the first year (as well as superannuation backdated to May 2022), and, 3.03 per cent for the second year (with superannuation backdated to May 1 this year).

Employees will also get greater access to parental and carer leave, more support for employees experiencing domestic violence and a new electrical safety allowance for some workers.

The deal must now be approved by the Fair Work Commission (FWC) for approval.

“The New South Wales government is continuing to actively argue in the Fair Work Commission against any further pay increase above the government's wages cap of 2.5 per cent, even despite the current high inflation figures,” says Rail, Tram and Bus Union secretary Alex Claassens.

“Unsurprisingly, they are still using taxpayer-funded lawyers to actively fight against rail workers getting higher wage increases, but given the way they have fought us every step of the way, nothing is surprising.”

Hearings at the FWC will take place next week.

NSW Minister for Employee Relations Damien Tudehope said industrial action on the rail network should now end. 

“This outcome formalises the agreement reached with the rail unions last year and will mean no further industrial action over the life of the [enterprise agreement],” he said.

“This is a welcome result for the public of NSW who own the rail network and rely on it every day to go about their lives.”

Part of the union’s dispute was that the state’s new Korean-made intercity fleet needed safety modifications to allow guards to check that platforms are clear. 

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the government will begin work on modifying the fleet, which will cost around $300 million.